Maryland’s Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Ranks 27th Among Nation’s Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CHBE) ranks 27th overall among undergraduate programs, and rose to 17th among public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2023–24 Best Colleges rankings.

“Our growth and recognition in the rankings is a testament to the hard work and passion of our faculty who are leaders in their respective fields, and our ambitious and talented students,” said Chair Peter Kofinas.

In the past two years, the department’s research expenditures more than doubled to $14M, leading in the areas of energy storage, biomolecular engineering, nanobiotechnology, soft materials, machine intelligence, aerosol technology and membrane separations.

“These achievements have enabled our students to collaborate on innovative projects that address real-world challenges," said Kofinas.

Since its establishment in 1937, CHBE provides students with a fundamental understanding of physical, chemical, and biological processes and the ability to apply molecular and biomolecular information and methods of discovery into products and the processes by which they are made.

Today, the department is home to a diverse body of 188 undergraduate students, with 44% who identify as females. During their time at the University of Maryland, CHBE students have opportunities to gain cultural immersion and leadership experience in custom study abroad programs at institutions like the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Universidad Pontifica Comillas in Spain and the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. Many of our recent graduates are sought after by corporations like ExxonMobil, W.R. Grace, Northrop Grumman, AstraZeneca, Catalent and Deloitte.

Department Highlights:

Faculty: many of whom are recipients of prestigious fellowships such as the Electrochemical Society and the Society of Rheology, including seven National Science Foundation CAREER Awardees, who also publish their studies in high-impact journals like Nature Energy.

Post-Graduation Success: our alumni are recognized leaders in the chemical and biomolecular field, with many taking over leadership roles, rising to faculty positions, winning National Science Foundation Fellowships, and being selected for nationwide research programs.

Published October 9, 2023